Experience more to complement your degree and future proof your career!
Maynooth University Careers and Employability Service
Toggle 
Career Mentoring
“My experience with my mentor has been incredibly enriching, providing me with invaluable insights and learnings that have profoundly shaped my academic and professional journey.” - 2024 Student Mentee
The MU Career Mentoring Programme pairs current students with alumni mentors who provide valuable career insights and support. This programme aims to empower students with future-focused skills and enhance their career readiness, aligning with Maynooth University’s commitment to producing “creative, inquisitive and critically engaged graduates” prepared for professional success (MU Strategic Plan 2023-2028 – Students and Learning).
Why Should You Apply?
- The Career Mentoring Programme is a great way to gain insights into the graduate labour market and the realities of working in different roles and industries.
- Matching will an Alumni Mentor who has been in your shoes at university is a great way to expand your professional network and build your confidence in new settings.
- This opportunity will help develop new skills needed in the professional world such as communication, time management and emotional intelligence. It will also give you time to reflect on and expand your transferable skills.
- You can use this opportunity towards the MUSE Award application
Timeline and Commitment
How to Apply
To be eligible to apply, applicants must be:
- Registered students at Maynooth University for the entire duration of the programme.
- A penultimate or final year student from any discipline. A small number of places (max 10) are allocated to postgraduate students in the School of Law and Business and School of Law and Criminology.
- Engaged and committed for the entire duration of the programme.
- Please note, 30% of places on the programme are reserved for students who avail of supports from the Access Office.
Applications for the 2024 Programme have now closed. Please keep an eye out on this page and CareersConnect for when applications open for the 2025-26 Academic Year.
Micro Internships
What is a Micro Internship?
- Micro-internships give students the opportunity to contribute to defined student success projects or activities within the University, enabling you to enhance your employability skills whilst collaborating with Professional Services offices and staff.
- Micro-internships are paid, short-term roles that see you work closely with a mentor in a professional service within Maynooth University between June and September. Over the past number of years we have had a range of exciting micro-internships with Fees and Grants, Green Campus, Clubs and Socs, Careers and Employability Service, just to name a few. Micro-internships are not repeated annually and each year we aim to add new and exciting opportunities for students.
To read more about what previous students said about their Micro Internship, check out their blogs here.
Payment
Successful students will be employed as an occasional hourly-paid member of staff (Occasional Staff Member) and paid the Administration Standard Rate. You can view up to date payment information on the Bursar’s website here.
This years programme is funded by the THRIVE Initiative’s Student Engagement through Partnership (StEP) Fund.
Key Benefits
- Gain valuable experience in your field of interest
- Expand your professional network
- Develop professional skills and knowledge
- Contribute to student success projects and activities
- Paid professional work experience
- Bring your student voice to projects
When do applications open?
Applications for the 2025 Programme have now closed. Please keep an eye out on this page and CareersConnect for when applications open for the 2025-26 Academic Year.
How do I apply?
Each role is different and requires a distinct set of skills, so make sure to look at them all. Students apply using their CV and application form on Careers Connect. You may be required to interview for the role. For support with your application/interview:
- Upload your CV to CareerSet for instant feedback
- Access the resources and supports on our website
- Attend our Career Essential Series to improve your CV or brush up on your interview skills
- Book an appointment with a Careers Advisor
Am I eligible to apply?
- Maynooth University students of any level (undergraduate or postgraduate), discipline or year group are eligible to apply.
- Students who have finished their studies are regrettably ineligible to apply.
- Students are only allowed to complete 1 Micro Internship during their time at Maynooth University, therefore, previous participants of the Micro Internship programme are ineligible to apply.
Need More Information?
If you have a question about Micro Internships, or want to learn more, please join one of our online information sessions
Information for staff
If you are a Maynooth University staff member interested in hosting a Micro Intern, please find the information you need here.
For more information on Micro Internships, please email: [email protected]
Check out Student Blogs and learn about the past experience here
Maynooth University Student Experience (MUSE) Awards
What are the MUSE Awards?
As a Maynooth University student, you're constantly developing skills from all aspects of your life. Now, your efforts outside the classroom can be recognized and rewarded through the Maynooth University Student Experience (MUSE) Awards!
The MUSE Award is a great addition to your CV, and it can help you articulate the valuable skills you've gained as you become more self-aware and prepared for your professional journey.
What is required to complete the MUSE Award?
There are four levels of the MUSE Awards; Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum. You complete them in that order and the extracurricular activities you put towards each level must be completed while you are a registered MU student (activities you’ve done in the summer period count also!).
What are the benefits to completing a MUSE Award?
- Helps you to stand out from your peers
- Gain recognition on your transcript (Gold and Platinum levels only)
- Gives you the confidence to articulate the skills you gained from your experiences
- Greater career readiness as you prepare for your future
- Better self-awareness as you reflect on your achievements
When do applications open?
Applications for the 2024-25 Programme have now closed. Please keep an eye out on this page and CareersConnect for when applications open for the 2025-26 Academic Year.
How do I get started?
4 easy steps to get started and get the recognition you deserve:
- Log in to Careers Connect (Sign in using your MU student number and password.)
- Navigate to Pathways. Start the Award and undertake the relevant activities associated with each level.
- Record and reflect on your experiences, and the skills gained
- Submit for assessment before the deadline
Already completed a level of the MUSE Award last year? Jump straight to the next level of the award!
Requirements
Students from any level (undergraduate or postgraduate) and any year group are eligible for the MUSE Award. The only requirement is the activities that you are attributing towards the MUSE Awards are activities which you undertook during your time registered as a MU student.
Information Sessions
Keep an eye on CareersConnect "Events" section and come along to the next MUSE information session.
On-Campus Activities Eligible for the MUSE Award
Find out more about all these activities HERE
| Activity Title | Brief Activity Descriptor |
|---|---|
| MU Student Ambassador Programme |
The Student Ambassador Programme provides current students with the opportunity to represent Maynooth University to prospective students at a variety of events and via promotional activity organised by The Admissions Office. Student Ambassadors positively promote Maynooth University and provide information about their course, subjects, campus facilities and life at Maynooth University to prospective applicants, parents and guardians. The type of work done by Student Ambassadors can include the following: Represent the University at events such as Open Days, Higher Options, exhibitions and providing support to Admissions Office staff in the run up to such events. /Guiding campus tours/Online Q&A sessions/Working on social media projects & promotion/Blog posts/Working on the MU Ask a Student platform. |
| Clubs and Societies Committees |
Clubs and Societies are communities of interest and activities who aim to create, encourage and promote a sense of belonging among our students. Our C & S Committees manage all aspects of running a club/soc. – Funding, Event Management, Communication, Competitions, Trips, Health & Safety. |
| Development and Alumni Relations Office Event Support |
There are two main areas that students can work with the Development and Alumni Office on; 1: On-the-day event support: Student work as part of a support team assisting with preparing an event space, helping at check in desk, post-event activity etc. 2. Several on campus alumni events that student can partake in throughout the academic year (e.g. Science Week alumni event (Nov), Carol Service (Dec), Alumni Reunion (May), conferrings and other ad hoc events. |
| School of Law and Criminology Open Days | Students answer questions about Law and Criminology programmes at the Open Days in November, April and June. |
| School of Law and Criminology - Mooting and negotiation competitions | Many of our students organise high profile moots and negotiation competitions. These are organised under the auspices of the student societies (Law Soc, ELSA, FLAC). These are not official School of Law and Crim activities but the School supports and often sponsors these events. |
| Student Skills and Success |
Students work in partnership with staff on guiding the work of the THRIVE Student Success Initiative |
| School of Modern Languages Student Ambassador | Students have spoken to TY students who spend half a day on campus, have spoken to first year students about how the programme progresses and the year abroad and have organised activities such as coffee mornings. |
| School of Law and Criminology Lyon Induction | 4th year LLB (Etudes Juridiques) students design and deliver a talk for new 3rd year BCL (Etudes Juridiques) students from Lyon arriving in Maynooth. Also provide a campus tour to the students and engage more generally with them. |
| CoderDojo Maynooth |
Help young kids learning programming. |
| Computer Science Summer Camp |
Deliver a session they develop as well as support students (13-17) the rest of the week. |
| Computer Science Centre Volunteer Tutor | The centre is aimed at all students regardless of their ability and will help students understand aspects of the modules that they are having difficulty with. |
| CT Ambassador | The PACT team at Maynooth University Department of Computer Science develops resources and supports to allow teachers to teach topics in computer science at both primary and secondary school. We specialise in computational thinking resources and supports. Our CT Ambassadors are Froebel, education, and computer science students who have attended our CT training workshops, co-created CT activities for primary and secondary schools, run CT school visits and other CT activities with our PACT team. |
| Story Exchange Mountjoy at Wheatfield | Students commit to three training sessions and 6 afternoons over 6 consecutive weeks in either Wheatfield or Mountjoy prisons participating in the Story Exchange Programme developing empathy through storytelling with prison participants. |
| Part Time Officer on the MSU Executive | The Part-Time Officers of the Union, work on a voluntary basis with the Full-Time officers of the Union. They support and aid the Full-Time Officers in executing various campaigns and initiatives alongside their studies. They sit on a variety of University Committees ensuring the student voice is heard. |
| MSU Operations Team | MSU have multiple opportunities for students to earn as they learn. These include the following; Creative Operations: Producing video content, digital designs & posters for the Unions campaigns and events. Events and Facilities: Work with sound and lighting, event preparations and planning, and facility management. Info Centre: Front facing role, aiding students with any queries, printing, binding, and leap card services. MSU Londis: Deliver exceptional customer service, stocking, till experience. |
| Student Senator | The MSU Student Senate is the Governing Body of the Union. Students who sit on the Senate represent a variation of interest groups. They have reserved competence in areas which include; Amending the Constitution, advise on the Strategic Plan, issue Union Policy and hold the Executive accountable. |
| Academic and Department Reps | Academic Reps: Gather feedback from classmates. Liaise with teaching staff on behalf of classmates. Represent the best interests of their classmates in MSU. Keep classmates informed about ongoing deliberations in their departments. Attend committees and assemblies of which they are a member of.
Department Reps: Gather feedback from all reps in their department. Liaise with department head on behalf of academic reps. Support academic reps with solving issues. Identify common issues arising across the department and work towards resolutions. Keep academic reps informed about ongoing deliberations in the department. Attend committees and assemblies of which they are a member of. |
| Student Reviewers | Student Reviewers play a crucial role in ensuring that the student voice is captured within the internal quality review process at Maynooth University. Student Reviewers form part of a group of experts (Peer Review Groups) who visit & review each academic department and administrative unit of the university. All of the activities and procedures of the department or unit are evaluated during the review. Student Reviewers provide a particular focus on the impact that these activities and procedures have on students and identify ways to improve them. |
| Academic Excellence Sessions | The Academic Excellence Sessions are group writing support sessions, each focusing on a particular topic, such as 'approaching your first essay', 'writing a literature review', 'working with feedback', 'reflective writing', 'preparing for exams', and 'planning your thesis/dissertation'. They run twice a week for the duration of the semester. |
The Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)
"The experience of being a SPUR student was the best experience of my college life so far. It allowed me to put my knowledge to work and advance my skills while learning about the real-life world of science. Carrying out this project has been an eye-opening experience for me as I have learnt how much work, effort and time is required to carry out research of any kind" - SPUR Participant 2024
What is the Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research?
The Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) is an active research-based and paid experiential learning programme for undergraduate students who wish to learn more about the postgraduate experience and possibly pursue a career in research.
It gives students the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects across a range of disciplines, offering an academically enriching environment and exposure to a myriad of learning and research opportunities, thereby enhancing students’ confidence and discipline knowledge.
This comprehensive professional development programme includes six weeks of intensive research, an orientation day, various developmental activities as well as an undergraduate research symposium.
Payment
SPUR Students are paid a tax-free stipend of €1500 for 6 weeks research.
The Student Opportunity Fund is available to help students also. It works in two ways:
- It assists those who may not otherwise be able to afford opportunities such as SPUR.
- It provides an additional funding subsidy for out-of-pocket expenses related to commuting or subsistence when working on campus during the SPUR experience.
The amount provided varies depending on the circumstances, but funding is between €150 and €1500. This is in addition to the SPUR Student Scholarship stipend of €1500.
Funding is conditional based on a student receiving and accepting an offer for a place on the SPUR programme.
Key Benefits
- Helps you to stand out from your peers
- Gain experience and recognition on your results transcript
- Develop a new network and insight into Postgraduate study
- Enhance your personal and professional development
When do applications open?
Applications for the 2025 Programme have now closed. Please keep an eye out on this page and CareersConnect for when applications open for the 2025-26 Academic Year.
Full-time Maynooth University non-final year undergraduate students are welcome to apply.
What's the timeline and commitment?
Want to find out more?
Visit Careers Connect for more information and tips for your application. You can find all project opportunities by selecting "Search" then "UpSkill Programmes".
There are a number of online and in-person information sessions for students interested in applying to the Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research (SPUR).
For any questions, e-mail [email protected] or else submit a query via the "Ask Us" button on CareersConnect.